Theatrical device



(No-Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. DUMARS THEATRIGAL DEVICE.

Patented July 18, 1-893.

no Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

THEATRIGAL DEVIGE.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3) H. DUMARS. .I'HEATRIGAL DEVICE.

No. 501,647, Patented July 18, 18931 rim-. 3.

INVE NTOR: 07% W By his Attorneys, mmm KG WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE DUMARS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

THEATRICAL DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,647, dated July 18, 1893.

Application filed November 2, 1892- Serial No. 450,717. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE DUMARS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices, apparatus and structures for the exhibition of scenic efiects, entertainments or performances of any kind, and aims to provide certain improvements in the stages or platforms on which such exhibitions are given, and in the scenery and apparatus such as the wings, borders, flies, or other such paraphernalia or properties employed in connection with exhibitions.

To this end, in carrying out my invention in its preferred form, I provide two stages or platforms upon which exhibitions can be given, and I arrange these stages on the same plane and back to back, with a space intervening between them constituting an intermediate platform having the same level as the stages, and susceptible of utilization as a rearward portion of either stage, and I provide a separate auditory for each stage, where by two performances to two audiences may be simultaneously given from the same platform, and the latter can be utilized to give such portion of its area as a stage to either audience as the exigencies of the respective performances render desirable. Preferably the stages are open and in free communication with each other, when the auxiliary apparatus incident to exhibitions is removed, whereby at such times the platform may be used for but one performance to be observed from both auditories.

Preferably my invention provides improved scenery, curtains, wings, borders, fiies, and other paraphernalia constructed to be utilized for scenic effects on either stage, or simultaneously on both stages, this being accomplished by constructing these devices with exhibition surfaces on both sides.

My invention also provides movable partitions for determining the relative proportions of the platform to be utilized for the respective stages, these partitions being ornamented on both sides and being of less height than the height of the stage, whereby above these there is left a free space communicating betrate the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an inclosure comprising two auditories "and my improved duplex stage intervening between them. Fig.2 is avertical longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is avertical cross-section thereof showing the left side of the stage in elevation. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the opposite side of the stage; and Fig. 5 is a front and rear view of one of the wings or scenic pieces.

Referring to the drawings, I will now describe the preferred form of my invention.

Let A indicate an inclosure for the display of exhibitions of any kind. This may be of any known or suitable character, that shown representing an edifice having auditoriesB and B at its opposite ends.

Let 0 indicate a platform or stage within the inclosure A between its auditories B B. This platform may be of any suitable or known construction adapted to exhibitions of any character. It may be disposed relatively to the inclosure A in any direction so as to substantially subdivide the latter into two opposite auditories. Preferably it is of elliptical form in horizontal section, and extends across the central portion of the inclosure at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the latter, and terminates at its opposite ends out of contact with the side walls of the inclosure, thereby leaving communicating v is constructed with two stages E and E, and

with an intermediate portion E", the latter and the two stages being on one uniform plane, and constituting a continuous open surface across the platform G from one side to the other thereof. The stage E faces the auditory B, and can be utilized for exhibi tions to be observed in that auditory, while the stage E faces the auditory B and can be:

used for exhibitions to be observed therefrom. The respective stages are bordered at sldes and top by the usual arch F F, and are 5 provided with the usual curtains or provislons G and G respectivelyimmediately with in their arches for closing them against observation from their respective auditories.

In the construction shown these curtains G IO can be rolled up and concealed above the arches of their respective stages. Preferably the platform is inclosed by ends between the arches F F.

As thus far described, the platform 0 con- I sists of two stages arranged back to back,

and an intermediate space capable of utiliz-' ation foreithe'r stage. 'Myin'vention provides. means for utilizing such proportion of the platform for each stage as shall be best adapted to the exigencies of the exhibitions'given from each. Preferably this is accomplished by providing a plurality of partitions I I and I" traversing longitudinally the platform 0 insu'ch manner as to subdivide its area between the respective stages EE, and extend.

ing beyond the opening in the arches F.

Preferably three partitions are used, themid dle one I traversing substantially the center of the platform 0 to subdivide it intoe'qual parts between its stages, and the others I and I beingrefsp'ectively on opposite sides of the partition I and serving to partition the normal depth of thestages Eand E respectively from the intermediate space E". Each of 5 these partitions is constructed with duplex faces, that is, each side'of'th'e partition is'ornamen'te'd to be exposed to observation from partitions do not intervene. par'titionI is in position as shown in the-drawings,it serves as a back wall for the stage E,

5 which is thus rendered comparatively shallowi in depth, and also as a backwall for the'st'age E, which is thus of a depth equal to that of its own width and that of the intermediate space E it being understood that the par titions I and 1" are removed.

greater proportion of the platform '0 is devoted to the stage E, whilethe lesser portion is devoted to the stage E. During such an arrangement, an exhibition requiring great 5 5 depth of stage can be given on the stage E ,1 while one requiring a lesser depth will begiven on the stage E. When the conditions of therespective exhibitions are reversed, the

partition I will be displaced and that I brought into position. Where: the exhibitions require uniform stage space, the central partition I will be utilized.

nating in rollers a some distance beneath the top of the arch, whereby above them there Thus the exists an uninterrupted space between the two sides of the stage. Above the partitions, and preferably above the level of the top of the arch F, is a substantially horizontal scene J, preferably traversing almost the entire space betweenthe two stages. The distance between the top of the partitions and the scene J is such that the line of sight from the auditory over the top of any partition I will be intercepted by the horizontal scene J, and therefore will not penetrate into the opposite auditory. Preferably the opposite decorations of the partitions I are exact counterparts of each other,'and each partition at top is decorated to resemble, for example, a sky scene, corresponding in appearance with the decorationu pen the horizontal scene 'J,'whereby from the auditory the change from the'top of the partitionto the-horizontal scene is not noticeable. V 7

My invention also provides duple'x'llie's L L which are distributed abouttheplatformO as convenience dictates, and 'are according to myinvention constructed with duplex exhibition 'su'rfac'eswhereby they can be'viewed from either side, these surfaces b'eiu-g'pre'ferably counterparts each of "the other, asseen in Fig. 5,whichis a view of the two faces of one of the iiiesL. v It likewise provides all the other scenic paraphernalia which canbe utilized from either side with duplex exhibition faces-for example, a suspending piece'b and the piece 0 which latter is'construc'ted who raised from below through'the platform 0. These pieces are seen inFigs. 3 aud t, inwhic'h it will'be' seen that thesuspended piece or float b can be seen from both auditories, whilethe various pieces 0' are in thisinstance only seen from the auditory'facing that'side'of the partition upon which they'are disposed. Inoperationthe r'egular-cu'rtainseid' will be lowered'from their rollers e e while the respective stages are being set. Thestageplatform will be subdivided most conveniently for-the production of the respective'exhibitionfs'by one of the partitions 'I. The wings L,'floats b and pieces 'c'will be properly disposed, whereupon the {exhibitions can proceed upon the'raising of the curtains G. The

erformers c'an-after'their evolutions on one stage pass-through'the spacesK' at the oppositeends of the partitions tothe performance on the other stage. During these perform ance's the flies, floats, and pieces'at one side of thepartition then fused tosubdivide the platform will be viewed from that side by the auditors there located, while those at the op- :posite side ofthis parti'ton will be viewed by the auditorsin the'opposite auditory. Should the next act require'a reversal of the stage spaces,another partition will be utilized to divide the platform 0, whereupon the stage According to my invention the partitions preferably do not extend to the complete height of the arch F, but are shown as termiparaphernaliaintervening between that pai tition'and the one previously used will then be viewed from the reverse side by the auditors on that side of the partition then used.

It will be seen that my invention provides IIO cumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art may dictate, without departing from the essential features of my invention. What I claim is, in theatrical devices, the

following-defined novel features and com-' binations, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, namely:

1. The improved structure for theatrical exhibitions consisting of a platform, as 0, having two stages, as E E, on its opposite sides, an intermediate space, as E", between said stages, and a plurality of partitions constructed when in position to subdivide said platform between said stages, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The improved structure for exhibitions consisting of a platform, as 0, having two stages as E E on its opposite sides, and an intervening partition, as I, having exhibition surfaces on its opposite faces, whereby its one face can serve as a background for the stage on one side, and its other face as a background for the stage on the other side, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a structure for theatrical exhibitions,

a platform, as 0, having two.stages, as E E on its opposite sides arranged on the same plane, in combination with stage paraphernalia having exhibition faces on its oppositesides, whereby said paraphernalia can be utilized for either stage without reversal.

4. In a structure for theatrical exhibitions, I

two stages, as E E, arranged back to back,

of less height than said arches, whereby an open space above said partition and'beneath said arches exists across said stage, and a substantially horizontal scene above said arches constructed to intercept the line of sight above said partition from the auditory, sub

stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In structures for theatrical exhibitions, an inclosure, as A, having auditories, as B B,

vin combination with a platform, as O, subdi viding said inclosure, and having two stages, as E E, the one facing one auditory and the other the other auditory, whereby separate exhibitions can simultaneously be given in said inclosure.

6. In structures for theatrical exhibitions,v

arches, as F, inclosing said stages, an inter- 'vening partition separating said stages and the platform 0 having the stagesE E, arches F F therefor, and curtains G G, in combitop scene, as J.

'6 5 nation with partitions, asI I, flies, asL L, and

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed 7 my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. Y

HORACE 'DUMARS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. FRASER, CHARLES KJFRASER. 

